Direct Answer
To check whether a Florida roofing contractor’s license is active, use the official Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license verification portal. Search using the contractor’s license number, individual name, or business name, then review the license status, expiration date, license type, and business associated with the license.
For commercial property owners, property managers, condominium associations, HOAs, and developers, verifying a contractor’s license before authorizing roofing work helps confirm that the contractor is appropriately licensed for the proposed work. However, an active license alone does not establish that the contractor has adequate insurance, a suitable safety program, the necessary experience, or the capacity to complete the project successfully.
Florida DBPR explains that a contractor with a Current, Active license may practice within the scope of that license. A Current, Inactive license is current but does not authorize the individual to actively practice in the construction profession. Verify the status directly through the state’s records rather than relying only on a license certificate, website, proposal, or business card.
Official verification resource: Florida DBPR — How to Verify a License.
Who This Applies To
- Commercial property owners
- Property and facility managers
- Condominium association boards
- Homeowners associations (HOAs)
- Commercial real estate investors and developers
- General contractors hiring roofing subcontractors
- Insurance professionals evaluating roofing contractors
- Owners preparing for commercial roof repair, restoration, or replacement
Not for: This guide explains how to verify a contractor’s license. It is not a substitute for checking insurance coverage, local permitting requirements, references, contract terms, or the contractor’s qualifications for a particular roofing system.
1. Ask the Roofing Contractor for Their License Number
Before signing a contract or authorizing work, ask the contractor to provide their Florida roofing contractor license number in writing.
You can request it through:
- The written roofing proposal
- The contractor’s business card
- The company’s website
- The service agreement
- A direct email from the contractor
Do not rely exclusively on a photograph of a license certificate. The certificate may be outdated, and a license record may have changed since the document was issued.
Florida DBPR recommends verifying a contractor using the license number, contractor’s name, or business entity name.
Official resource: Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Business Information.
2. Open the Official Florida License Verification Portal
Navigate to the state’s official verification portal:
The portal provides several search methods, including:
- Search by license number
- Search by individual name
- Search by city or county
- Search by license type
For the most precise result, begin with the license number supplied by the contractor. If you do not have the number, search by the contractor’s individual name or business name.
Official instructions are available through DBPR’s license verification guide.
3. Search for the Individual Contractor
If you have the contractor’s license number, select the license-number search option and enter the number exactly as provided.
If you do not have the number:
- Select the name-search option.
- Enter the contractor’s first and last name.
- Review the matching license records.
- Select the relevant record.
- Compare the licensee’s identity and associated business with the information on the proposal.
Be careful with common names. Confirm that the record belongs to the person who will qualify or supervise the roofing business rather than assuming that the first matching result is correct.
4. Verify the Roofing Business Separately
Checking the individual contractor is important, but you should also verify the business that will sign your contract.
Florida DBPR explains that a construction business generally must be qualified by a properly licensed individual contractor. The approved business entity should appear in the individual’s license record.
To check the business:
- Search by the organization’s or establishment’s name.
- Review the matching business records.
- Identify the individual contractor associated with the business.
- Open the individual’s license record.
- Confirm that the individual appropriately qualifies the business entity.
For example, if your proposal is issued by ABC Commercial Roofing LLC, do not stop after finding an active license belonging to someone who works for a different roofing company. Confirm the connection between the licensed individual and the business named in your contract.
Official resource: DBPR Construction Industry — Business Information and Verification Instructions.
5. Confirm That the License Status Is Current and Active
The license status is one of the most important pieces of information in the record.
| License Status | What It Means | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Current, Active | The license is current, and the contractor may practice within the scope of the license. | Continue checking business qualification, insurance, and project suitability. |
| Current, Inactive | The license is current, but the individual is not actively practicing in the construction profession. | Do not assume the license authorizes active contracting. Confirm the status before proceeding. |
| Delinquent, Active | The license was not renewed by its expiration date and cannot be used to practice until its status is updated. | Do not authorize work under that license until DBPR confirms an appropriate status. |
| Expired, Suspended, or another restricted status | The record may not authorize the contractor to perform the proposed work. | Confirm the current legal status directly with DBPR before proceeding. |
Status terminology and the legal effect of a particular record should be verified against the current official DBPR record and applicable requirements.
Official resource: Florida DBPR Construction Industry FAQs — Current and Active License Status.
6. Check the License Type and Scope of Work
An active license does not automatically authorize every type of construction work.
Florida recognizes certified and registered contractor licenses. DBPR explains that certified licenses generally permit statewide contracting within the license’s scope, while registered licenses are limited to the local jurisdictions in which the contractor is authorized to operate.
For roofing work, review the license classification and verify that it covers the proposed project.
This is particularly important when hiring a contractor for:
- Commercial roof replacement
- New-construction commercial roofing
- Roof restoration and coatings
- Roof leak investigation and repair
- Roofing work involving penetrations, flashing, and related components
- Roofing projects requiring permits
Florida DBPR describes the roofing contractor classification and its scope on the official Construction Industry page.
7. Check the License Expiration Date
Even if a contractor previously held an active license, you should verify its status on the day you are evaluating or hiring the contractor.
Check the record for:
- License expiration date
- Current status
- Any status changes shown in the official record
- Whether the individual is appropriately associated with the business
Do not assume that an older license certificate proves the license is currently valid. If the information on the certificate differs from the online record, ask the contractor to resolve the discrepancy and contact DBPR if necessary.
8. Review Available Disciplinary Information
License verification should be part of a broader contractor screening process.
Review the information available through the official portal and check whether there are relevant disciplinary records or restrictions. If a record raises concerns, ask the contractor for an explanation and independently confirm the relevant information with DBPR.
Florida DBPR also provides resources for reporting suspected unlicensed activity and filing complaints.
Official resource: Florida DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program.
9. Verify General Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance
An active roofing license does not prove that a contractor currently has the insurance required for your project.
Before allowing workers onto the roof, request and verify:
- General liability insurance certificate
- Workers’ compensation coverage or applicable exemption documentation
- Policy effective and expiration dates
- Coverage limits appropriate for the project
- Confirmation of coverage directly from the insurer or authorized agent when necessary
Florida’s Department of Financial Services provides a workers’ compensation coverage search and advises property owners to verify appropriate licensing and workers’ compensation coverage before allowing contractors to inspect a roof.
Official resource: Florida Department of Financial Services — Consumer Resources and Workers’ Compensation Coverage Search.
10. Confirm Permit and Project Requirements
Before authorizing roofing work, determine whether the project requires a building permit and confirm which contractor will be responsible for obtaining it.
Depending on the project and jurisdiction, you may need to verify:
- Permit requirements
- Local building department requirements
- Applicable roofing and building codes
- Product approvals and installation requirements
- Inspection responsibilities
- Project-specific insurance or contract requirements
License verification is only one part of determining whether the contractor can legally and appropriately perform the proposed work.
11. Save Evidence of Your Verification
For commercial properties, condominium buildings, and HOA-managed facilities, keep a record of the contractor screening process.
Save:
- A dated copy or screenshot of the DBPR license record
- The license number and classification
- The individual licensee’s name
- The business associated with the license
- The license status and expiration date
- Insurance certificates and verification records
- The contractor’s written proposal
- Relevant permit information
- The signed contract and scope of work
Retaining these records helps property managers and boards demonstrate that they performed reasonable due diligence when selecting a roofing contractor.
12. What If You Cannot Find the License?
If the contractor’s license does not appear in the search results, do not immediately conclude that the contractor is unlicensed. First check for typing errors, alternate business names, and differences between the contractor’s legal name and trade name.
Then:
- Ask the contractor to confirm the license number.
- Search using the individual contractor’s name.
- Search using the business entity name.
- Check the appropriate roofing license classification.
- Contact DBPR if the discrepancy remains unresolved.
DBPR’s published license-verification guidance provides a customer contact number of (850) 487-1395. You can also start from the official Florida DBPR website.
If you suspect unlicensed activity, review the state’s Unlicensed Activity Program resources.
Bottom Line
To verify whether a Florida roofing contractor’s license is active, search the official DBPR database using the license number, individual name, or business name. Confirm that the record shows Current, Active, verify that the license classification covers the proposed roofing work, check the expiration date, and make sure the individual appropriately qualifies the business named in your contract.
Before hiring the contractor, separately verify general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, investigate relevant disciplinary information, and confirm project-specific permit requirements. An active license is an essential screening step, but it is not a guarantee of workmanship, insurance coverage, or project performance.
Related Questions
- What Should a Commercial Roof Due Diligence Report Include?
- What Should a GC Look for in a Commercial Roofing Subcontractor Bid in Florida?
- What Roofing Closeout Documents Should a GC Collect Before Turnover?
Sources
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — How to Verify a License
- Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Business Information
- Florida DBPR — Official License Search Portal
- Florida DBPR — Construction Industry FAQs
- Florida DBPR — Construction Industry and Roofing Contractor Information
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Consumer Resources
- Florida DBPR — Unlicensed Activity Program
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal, licensing, insurance, or professional advice. License classifications, authorization requirements, insurance obligations, and permitting requirements can vary by project and jurisdiction. Verify current information directly with the appropriate Florida licensing authority and local building department.
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